Metro Detroit Doctor Convicted Of 34 Crimes In Drug, Fraud Probe

DETROIT (WWJ/AP) – A Detroit-area doctor who would see more than 100 patients a day at his Hamtramck clinic has been convicted of 34 crimes.

It was a slam-dunk for federal prosecutors Thursday as Dr. Basil Qandil was found guilty of all charges, including illegal drug distribution, health care fraud and money laundering. The 36-year-old doctor was accused of writing prescriptions for drugs that would be sold on the streets. In turn, he would bill Medicare and Medicaid.

Evidence presented during the two-week trial showed that between 2011 and 2013, Qandil prescribed more than 3.7 million dosage units of controlled substances, including Oxycodone and Vicodin, outside the outside the course of legitimate medical practice. Prosecutors say Qandil was the No. 2 prescriber of drugs in the state in April 2012 behind University of Michigan hospital.

Evidence also showed that Qandil committed health care fraud by submitting all new patients to medical tests, including a medically unnecessary pulmonary function test, which were then billed to Medicare or other health insurance programs.

The government said Qandil transferred more than $1.5 million in proceeds from his crimes to an overseas bank account in Amman, Jordan. Qandil has denied any wrongdoing.